A native of Danielsville, Georgia, Dr. Heaton received an associate degree in chemistry from Young Harris College where he attended on a baseball scholarship. Graduating with honors, he received his undergraduate degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. Dr. Heaton earned his medical degree from Mercer University School of Medicine in Macon, Georgia. Following medical school, he completed an internship at the University of Florida-Shands Department of Surgery in Gainesville, Florida. After his internship, he completed his orthopaedic surgery training at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Overton Brooks VA Medical Center, and the Shriners Hospital for Children in Shreveport, Louisiana, where, in his last year, he served as chief resident. He then completed a one-year sports medicine fellowship at the Hughston Clinic in Columbus, Georgia.

In addition to general orthopaedics, Dr. Heaton specializes in sports medicine, arthroscopic treatment of shoulder, knee, and hip injuries, as well as shoulder replacement surgery. Dr. Heaton is board certified in orthopaedic surgery and a candidate member of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine. He is the team orthopaedic physician for Lowndes High School Vikings and an associate team physician for Valdosta State University and Thomas University.

Dr. Heaton enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter. He is an outdoorsman, who enjoys hunting and fishing, most especially fly fishing.